Butler County coroner gets big raise

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Because of a higher number of death investigations and additional paperwork responsibilities, the Butler County coroner's pay has been increased to $37,320 for 2009. The coroner's pay was $20,105 during 2008.

The decision was made by the Butler County Salary Commission in late December. The salary commission is made up of all the county elected officials.

"It was a big surprise to me," said Coroner Jim Akers, who began a four-year term Jan. 1.

Larry Cotrell, who retired after serving 40 years as coroner, told the salary commission members about the new laws and new duties of the coroner. Cotrell also compared Butler County's caseload with Cape Girardeau County's caseload.

"Butler County had always carried a heavy volume. When the county became a Class 3 county, the part-time pay was okay, but the state kept adding to the job," Cotrell said. "Approximately three years ago, the state started requiring coroners to check on all nursing home deaths."

The coroner's pay was $20 105 during 2008

"The job has been full time. as far as the workload. for some time," Akers said. "Larry didn't realize how much extra work he had been under."

By not having to work at an another job, Akers said he could be "more available to the public" and "devote more time to it."

Akers said he was "very grateful" to the salary commission for increasing the pay and for Cotrell and retiring Eastern District Commissioner Robbie Myers speaking on his behalf.

"Over the years, the state has added more duties. There is an enormous number of deaths referred to the coroner," said Akers, who added that Butler County's caseload is "equal or higher than Cape Girardeau County" with a higher population. He also noted Butler County's caseload is "head and shoulders above" a similar size county like Howell County at West Plains.

"I have been awakened every night and I have worked every day," Akers said. He already has handled a fatal accident and a drug overdose among the death investigations this year.

Akers had previously worked as a crime scene investigator in the Butler County Sheriff's Department. After meeting with Sheriff Mark Dobbs, the two men mutually agreed it would be best for Akers to resign as a deputy sheriff to avoid any potential conflict of interest. It would be difficult being involved in a sheriff's department investigation and getting interrupted with a coroner's call.

"It was very prudent he become like the rest of the elected officials," Dobbs said. Akers will be retained on an auxiliary status without pay. He will continue to teach the firearms classes and the conceal and carry classes for the sheriff's department, according to Dobbs.

Joe Chapman is the chief deputy coroner. Brien Fugate is a non-paid deputy coroner. Cotrell and former chief deputy coroner Bruce Goins have agreed to serve as advisors.

"They have been sworn in as my deputies in the event we have a disaster here," Akers said.

County Recorder Debra Lundstrom made the motion to set the coroner's salary at the same level as the pay for the two associate commissioners.

The salary commission also voted not to increase any of the annual salaries for the other county officials. Both votes were unanimous. The savings gained from not giving a 3 percent raise to the other county officials nearly equals the increase for the coroner.

Dobbs will continue to receive $61,103. County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall, Treasurer Joe Humphrey, Assessor Marion Tibbs, Collector Brenda Fox, Public Administrator Sharron Payne and Lundstrom will continue to receive $56,687. Presiding Commissioner Ed Strenfel will continue to receive $39,380 while Western District Commissioner Jeff Darnell and Eastern District Commissioner Don Anderson will be paid $37,320.

All these officials were present except Payne. Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour, whose salary of $106,180 is set by the state, served as chairman.